Oprah Winfrey pulled off a dazzling surprise party for her longtime best friend, Gayle King, in honor of her 70th birthday. The celebration, held at New York City’s upscale Ci Siamo restaurant, brought together a host of celebrities and loved ones to honor the CBS Mornings anchor.
Winfrey shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, describing the event as a labor of love. “My bestie of 50 years is turning 70, so we gathered everyone that loved her to celebrate,” Winfrey wrote. The media mogul also admitted it wasn’t easy to keep the plans under wraps. “Hard thing to surprise her. O, the stories we made up and the lies we told to keep this a secret,” she joked, adding a crying-laughter emoji.
Oprah Surprising Gayle King
Gayle King, who thought she was attending a holiday dinner hosted by Winfrey, was stunned when she entered the venue and heard guests shouting “surprise!” Startled, King dropped her handbag on the bar, visibly moved by the thoughtful gathering.
King later reflected on the unforgettable evening through her Instagram posts. “Talk about a surprise!!! I thought I was going to @oprah’s holiday dinner… and then THIS happened,” she wrote. She revealed the party had been six months in the making, saying, “Everybody kept the secret, which made this party even more special to me!”
Winfrey’s emotional speech at the event highlighted their enduring friendship. “Next year marks half a century of friendship,” Winfrey said. “In 50 years, we have been in sync, in each other’s corner, and looking forward to the best for each other.” She added that King’s unwavering joy for others is one of her defining qualities.
Star-Studded Celebration
Guests at the event included celebrities such as Angela Bassett, Dave Chappelle, Katy Perry, and Jeff Bezos. King’s children, Kirby Bumpus and William Bumpus Jr., were also present, adding to the intimate and heartfelt atmosphere.
“I can’t believe you pulled this off,” King told attendees in an emotional speech. “I’m so grateful for all of you taking the time to come. I really do feel the love.”
The evening featured lively dancing, delicious food, and a towering four-tiered birthday cake with sparklers. King described the celebration as “the party of a lifetime” and continued to share highlights online, declaring her gratitude to Oprah and all those who made her milestone birthday unforgettable.